VITA Volunteers

VITA Volunteers

Kara Helgeson of Billings is pursuing a masters of accountancy at
Montana State University-Bozeman. The College of Business student
is one of 34 students that are participating in the Volunteer
Income Tax Assistance or VITA. This Internal Revenue Service
program provides opportunities for accounting students to learn
how to prepare tax returns and apply their knowledge to a wide
range of tax issues while learning the value of volunteering in
the community. They also earn one accounting credit.

This is Helgeson's second year of volunteering in the VITA
program. "I feel this service is of great value. I think it is
wonderful that low-income people as well as students are able to
get assistance with their tax returns without having to pay a
professional," Helgeson said. "Many tax returns can be confusing
even if a person is not of high income. The VITA program offers
help to those individuals that they may otherwise not be able to
receive."

Anne Christensen, Professor of Accounting at Montana State
University Bozeman College of Business, oversees and trains the
students for the VITA program. "The students are well prepared to
offer this service. They have completed one or more tax courses
as well as nine additional hours of training specifically
oriented to low income taxpayers. The students also must pass a
qualifying exam prepared by the IRS," Christensen said.

"We are proud of our MSU-Bozeman College of Business graduate
accounting students. They receive an exceptional education and
are well prepared for accounting practices and passing the
difficult CPA exam. We were number one in the nation in 2002 for
first-time candidates with advanced degrees passing the CPA
exam," Christensen added. "Not only does the VITA program provide
educational value to the students, they learn the importance and
rewards of sharing their knowledge and expertise with those in
need of tax assistance."

Halverson agrees. "I have received many educational values from
this service. I learned a great deal about tax rules and
regulations through the training as well as gained a lot of
practical experience in actually assisting individuals in
preparing their returns."

It is a service she feels needs to be continued and offered to
students in the future. "I would definitely recommend this
volunteer project to students who will be seniors or graduate. I
think VITA is an excellent opportunity to not only improve and
expand upon your accounting skills, but also a great chance to
give back to the community," Halvorson said.

With the exception of March 16, the service will be offered every
Tues., Feb. 10 through April 6, from 6:30 - 9 p.m in room 401
Reid Hall on Montana State University-Bozeman campus. The
students will help people with basic federal and Montana income
tax returns.

There is no appointment necessary and individuals interested in
free tax help should bring their 2003 tax packages, W-2 forms,
interest statements, 2002 tax returns and other tax documents.
International students should attend one of the tax seminars for
non-resident aliens on March 9 in Room 104 Reid Hall from 5:30-9
p.m. or March 10 from 9 a.m. 2 p.m. in Room 275 Student Union
Building. They are requested to bring their W-2s and 1042S.